Who is the Somali referee barred from entering the US for the World Cup?
Summary
Omar Artan, a Somali referee selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, was not allowed to enter the country despite having a diplomatic passport and a visa. The Somali government is trying to resolve the situation, but Artan currently remains outside the US and will likely miss the tournament.Key Facts
- Omar Artan became a FIFA referee in 2018 and was the first Somali chosen for World Cup referee duties.
- He was blocked from entering the US at Miami airport despite having proper travel documents.
- Artan is 34 years old and was planned to be the first Somali to officiate on the field at a World Cup.
- He was named the best male referee in Africa in 2023 and worked at recent Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
- The US State Department said visa decisions are made carefully, considering national security and public safety.
- Somali President Hassan Mohamud called Artan an inspiration for young Somalis.
- Artan began refereeing locally in Mogadishu after a leg injury and was mentored by Osman Jama Dirac, who died in 2017.
- Artan is currently in Istanbul and expected to return soon to Somalia.
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